Tracker Stolen Vehicle Tracking System Standard Operating Procedure

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1 Tracker Stolen Vehicle Tracking System Standard Operating Procedure Notice: This document has been made available through the Police Service of Scotland Freedom of Information Publication Scheme. It should not be utilised as guidance or instruction by any police officer or employee as it may have been redacted due to legal exemptions. Owning Department Version Number Road Policing 3.00 (Publication Scheme) Date Published 08/02/2016 (Publication Scheme)

It should not be utilised as guidance or instruction by any police officer or employee as it may have been

2 Compliance Record Equality Impact Assessment: Date Completed / Reviewed: 23/09/2015 Information Management Compliant: Yes Health and Safety Compliant: Yes Publication Scheme Compliant: Yes Version Control Table Version History of Amendments Approval Date 1.00 Initial Approved Version 11/12/ Periodic Review Changes to Improve clarity and Update Terminology 03/01/ Periodic Review Further Changes to Improve clarity and Update Terminology 05/02/2016 (Publication Scheme) 2

Approval Date 1.00 Initial Approved Version 11/12/2013 2.

3 Contents 1. Purpose 2. The Equipment 3. Theft of Vehicle Fitted with Tracker 4. Missing Persons 5. Tracking Procedure 6. Recovery Procedure 7. Use of Police Tracking Components 8. Training Appendices Appendix A Appendix B List of Associated Reference Documents Glossary of Terms (Publication Scheme) 3

4 1. Purpose 1.1 The Tracker Network UK system is a stolen vehicle tracking system available to all United Kingdom (UK) Police Forces. The system operates by way of a transponder concealed within a vehicle, with this transponder being operated by remote signal on notification being received by Tracker that the vehicle has been stolen. Suitably equipped vehicles can then pick up the transponder signal and track it. A number of police vehicles, primarily Road Policing units, are fitted with the Tracker detection equipment. Occupants of vehicles being tracked will not be aware of the presence of Tracker in the vehicle. 1.2 The tracking of a vehicle fitted with Tracker is not a pursuit until the vehicle fails to stop. (Please refer to the Vehicle Pursuits PSoS SOP). 1.3 This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aims to give police officers and support staff guidance on the use of Tracker equipment for the detection of stolen vehicles. Reference should also be made to the Stolen Vehicles PSoS SOP. 2. The Equipment 2.1 There are two main components to the tracking system, the customer unit: Vehicle Location Unit (VLU) and the police unit - Police Tracking Component (PTC). 2.2 The VLU is purchased, or hired, by the customer and fitted to their vehicle by Tracker authorised fitters. The customer is not advised whereabouts in their vehicle the unit is fitted and no signs advising of the presence of the unit are displayed. 3. Theft of Vehicle Fitted with Tracker 3.1 When a vehicle fitted with Tracker is stolen the following procedure will be adopted: On contacting the police to report the theft of the vehicle, the complainer will be given a unique Police Reference Number and the vehicle will be entered on the Police National Computer (PNC), including the fact that Tracker is fitted. The complainer should contact Tracker Network UK informing them of the theft and supply them with the Police Reference Number. Tracker Network UK will contact the Area Control Room (ACR) and confirm details of the theft. Tracker Network UK, on confirming the theft, will activate the transponder unit in the vehicle. (Publication Scheme) 4

stolen. Suitably equipped vehicles can then pick up the transponder signal and track it. A number of police vehicles, primarily Road Policing units, are fitted with the Tracker detection equipment.

5 An activated unit will emit a radio pulse containing a unique Tracker Reply Code (five digits). If required, the repetition rate of this radio pulse can be increased to assist in locating the vehicle. This can only be done if a request is made to Tracker Network UK by the Police. 3.2 The PTC continually searches for VLU signals and, when a signal is received, the unique Tracker Reply Code of the emitting unit is shown on the PTC display. The direction from which the signal was received and the proximity of the transmitting VLU are also indicated. 4. Missing Persons 4.1 Contact with Tracker Network UK should also be considered to ascertain if a missing person s vehicle is fitted with Tracker. The unit may be activated to assist in locating the missing person. Reference should be made to the Missing Persons Investigation PSoS SOP. 5. Tracking Procedure 5.1 When a vehicle fitted with an activated Tracker VLU is detected, the following procedure will be adopted: The police vehicle fitted with a Tracker PTC will receive and display the five-digit Reply Code broadcast by the activated VLU; Contact the ACR and notify them of the code; ACR will be requested to contact Tracker Network UK to increase the radio pulse repetition rate and obtain a full description of the stolen vehicle. ACR will supply full details of the stolen vehicle involved to the police vehicles which are tracking the signal; Using the Tracker the police vehicles will continue tracking until the vehicle is detected or the track is lost. Where a track is continued outwith the boundary of an ACR, the adjoining ACR should be notified. Refer to the Command and Control PSoS SOP. 6. Recovery Procedure 6.1 Where a vehicle fitted with Tracker is traced the following procedure will be adopted: If the vehicle has been reported stolen, the owner should be contacted and informed of its recovery. Subsequent procedures should be followed as per the Seizure of Vehicles SOP and supporting guidance documents. (Publication Scheme) 5

2 The PTC continually searches for VLU signals and, when a signal is received, the unique Tracker Reply Code of the emitting unit is shown on the PTC display.

6 Information has been removed due to its content being exempt in terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Section 30(c) Prejudice to Effective Conduct of Public Affairs If the vehicle is found containing a missing / vulnerable person, consideration must be also given to the duty of care of the vehicle. Where the owner is also the vulnerable person, this will involve contacting next of kin or retaining the vehicle until suitable instruction is given to the police. Tracker Network UK can make arrangements for guarding and recovering a traced vehicle should the complainer make a request for this service. This is an arrangement between Tracker Network UK and their customer. Immediately on recovery PNC should be updated. 7. Use of Police Tracking Components 7.1 Police Tracking Components (PTC) will only be operated by officers who have received training in their use. 8. Training 8.1 Training in the use of the equipment will be the responsibility of the relevant Road Policing Unit. The personal record of those trained in the use of the equipment will be recorded on the System to Co-ordinate Personnel and Establishment (SCoPE). (Publication Scheme) 6

Where the owner is also the vulnerable person, this will involve contacting next of kin or retaining the vehicle until suitable instruction is given to the police.

7 Appendix A List of Associated Reference Documents Policies Contact, Command and Control PSoS Policy Crime Investigation PSoS Policy Road Policing PSoS Policy Standard Operating Procedures Command and Control PSoS SOP Missing Persons Investigation PSoS SOP Seizure of Vehicles PSoS SOP Stolen Vehicles PSoS SOP Vehicle Pursuits PSoS SOP (Publication Scheme) 7

Procedures Command and Control PSoS SOP Missing Persons Investigation PSoS SOP Seizure of

8 Appendix B Glossary of Terms ACR PNC PTC SCoPE SOP UK VLU Area Control Room Police National Computer Police Tracking Component System to Co-ordinate Personnel and Establishment Standard Operating Procedure United Kingdom Vehicle Location Unit (Publication Scheme) 8

System to Co-ordinate Personnel and Establishment Standard

SECURITY INCIDENT REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT. Standard Operating Procedures

SECURITY INCIDENT REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT Standard Operating Procedures Notice: This document has been made available through the Police Service of Scotland Freedom of Information Publication Scheme.